Saint Paul, Minnesota, is not instinctively associated with the K-pop wave. Major international tours usually target coastal hubs and megacities where tens of thousands of fans pack pre-established global showcases. Yet, right in the middle of the Midwest, a community stepped up to build its very own playground. A gathering designed for passionate fans arriving from multiple states, tailored to their energy and deep-rooted attachment to Korean culture. That is precisely how KPOP MINNECON was born, evolving into one of the warmest—and most unexpected—drop-in points on the American K-pop scene.
This project did not come out of nowhere: it relies on people who live and breathe K-pop every single day, understand it intimately, and wanted to move from virtual connection to concrete reality. The MNKPOPCONNECT team, made up of volunteers, dancers, organizers, and families, carries this vision with a disarming sincerity that hits you the moment you step foot on-site. Their goal has never been just to drop another concert or convention, but to forge a true home. A place where fans finally feel like they belong, where artists discover an ultra-supportive audience, and where Korean culture is experienced in all its breadth.
The 2026 edition marks a massive milestone. The festival expands to two full days featuring a robust lineup: a concert, panels, workshops, showcases, a cultural marketplace, and that famous photocards trading space acting as a genuine village square. The arrival of artists like ICHILLIN’ proves that the festival has grown and is now catching the eye of Seoul and entertainment agencies. For Midwest fans, it’s the ultimate golden opportunity to see artists up close without crossing the entire country. And for performers, it’s a revelation: they discover an electrifying, hyper-organized crowd deeply respectful of what they represent.
Because MINNECON is much more than a string of songs. It is a space where people dance, learn, taste, and discuss Korean cuisine, beauty, history, and creators. A bridge built between cultures, a melting pot across generations, and above all, another way to bring K-pop to life. Far from the spotlights of major capitals, but propelled by a community putting its heart and soul into it.
To uncover the behind-the-scenes magic of this adventure, Andrew took the time to answer our questions during an exclusive interview conducted on August 23.
1. Introduce yourself and explain your role within MNKPOPCONNECT and KPOP MINNECON.
Andrew Melendres: “My name is Andrew Melendres, and I am the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of MNKPOPCONNECT, the Minnesota-based organization that produces KPOP MINNECON. I oversee all festival operations, which includes artist contracting and coordination, travel and lodging, venue logistics with the Saint Paul RiverCentre, ticketing, partnerships and sponsors, and the management of our volunteer program. I work closely with our President, Toby Vang, and a team of organizers and volunteers who are first and foremost passionate fans. The entire project is led by our CEO, Alice Moua Melendres, who drives the global vision for everything we do.”
2. What inspired the creation of KPOP MINNECON, and what is the festival's vision?
Andrew Melendres: “For years, K-pop fans in Minnesota had to travel to Los Angeles, Chicago, or New York to experience a major-scale event. Yet here in the Twin Cities, we observed a highly active, passionate, and well-organized community consisting of dance crews, fan groups, and local creators, but with no dedicated space truly of their own. KPOP MINNECON was created to provide this community with a gathering place. Our vision is simple: create a welcoming space where fans of all ages and backgrounds can celebrate K-pop music and Korean culture, meet artists in person, and feel that the Midwest fully belongs in the global K-pop story rather than being a region forgotten by international tours.”
3. How has the festival evolved since its inaugural edition, and what makes this one special?
Andrew Melendres: “Our inaugural edition in September 2025 was a single-day event at the RiverCentre, the first of its kind in Minnesota. The public response was so overwhelming that for 2026, we decided to double the festival duration to two full days, taking place on August 29 and 30. We are expecting fans from across the Midwest and beyond, making this the largest K-pop convention in the region. The biggest change is in the artist lineup: this year, we are hosting a full Saturday night concert headlined by ICHILLIN’, alongside Justin Park, HOHYUN, JTR, Alan Lee, SamUIL, and AIDEN, as well as high-profile creators like JJang.E, Ramiro Brave, and Toshi. The festival has also expanded with much richer content, including more panels, workshops, dance showcases, a larger vendor marketplace, and a photocard trading space that contributes to the social and immersive atmosphere of the weekend. All of these elements transform MINNECON into a true cultural convention, far beyond just a concert.”
4. What have been the biggest challenges, particularly regarding logistics and artist coordination?
Andrew Melendres: “Bringing artists from Korea to Minnesota involves a long chain of details that must all align: visas, international flights, lodging, ground transportation, technical riders, rehearsal slots, and stage schedules that need to function for both a convention and a concert venue. We learned a lot from our first year, especially the importance of building in buffers and contingency plans, because a single flight change or administrative delay can upend an entire day of programming.”
5. What does the participation of Korean artists mean for the festival?
Andrew Melendres: “It is absolutely essential. The fact that ICHILLIN’ and other artists are traveling all the way from Seoul to perform in Saint Paul shows our community that they are recognized. For many fans, especially teenagers and families, this is their very first opportunity to see a Korean artist live without leaving the state. For the artists, it’s an opportunity to meet fans in a region of the United States that international tours rarely visit. We take our responsibility toward them very seriously and do everything to ensure their experience in Minnesota is impeccably organized and warm, so they leave telling other artists that the Midwest is well worth the trip.”
6. How does KPOP MINNECON contribute to cultural exchange between Korea and the United States?
Andrew Melendres: “K-pop is often the gateway to a broader interest in Korea: language, cuisine, fashion, cinema, and history. At MINNECON, we try to make that gateway as wide as possible. Alongside the music, our lineup includes Korean food and beauty vendors, workshops, and educational panels allowing fans to discover the culture behind what they love. Minnesota also has a significant Korean-American community, notably one of the largest populations of Korean adoptees in the country, and events like MINNECON help connect this heritage to the younger generation discovering it through music. In return, we hope Korean artists leave with a clearer vision of Korean culture’s impact right in the heart of the American Midwest.”
7. What audience do you expect, and how would you describe Minnesota’s K-pop community?
Andrew Melendres: “We expect thousands of fans over the two days. The crowd is young, yet remarkably diverse: teenagers accompanied by their parents, university dance crews, adults who have followed K-pop since the second generation, and families traveling from Wisconsin, Iowa, the Dakotas, and beyond. Minnesota’s K-pop community is creative, self-organized, and generous. Long before our existence, fans were already organizing random-play dances, cover teams, and photocard trading meetups. Our role is simply to give a bigger stage to that energy.”
Credits: © Terry in Lens at KPOP MINNECON
8. What activities should visitors not miss?
Andrew Melendres: “Sunday night’s concert featuring ICHILLIN’ is the peak of the weekend, and meet-and-greet spots are limited, so fans should plan ahead. Beyond the concert, the random-play dance sessions are the beating heart of any K-pop event and open to everyone. The dance showcases and workshops led by artists and local crews, panels with performers and creators, the marketplace featuring Korean goods, beauty, and food vendors, as well as the photocards trading space—which has become one of the most social hubs of the festival—are all absolute musts. I also recommend staying through Sunday, when the pace is more relaxed and it’s easier to meet people.”
9. Do you have expansion plans for the future?
Andrew Melendres: “Yes. Our immediate priority is making the 2026 edition an outstanding experience for fans and artists alike, but we are already planning for 2027. Long-term, we want MINNECON to become the premier Midwest K-pop event, featuring a larger concert component, more direct partnerships with Korean agencies, and programming that extends year-round through MNKPOPCONNECT rather than just a single annual weekend.”
10. A message for international readers of Korea.net?
Andrew Melendres: “To fans worldwide, thank you. K-pop has built one of the most welcoming global communities I have ever seen, and we are proud to be a tiny part of it right here in Minnesota. To our friends in Korea, your music and culture have traveled farther than you realize—all the way to the lakes and prairies of the American Midwest, where thousands of fans are learning your language, dancing to your choreography, and counting down the days until they see their favorite artists. If you happen to be in the United States at the end of August, come to Saint Paul. We would love to welcome you at KPOP MINNECON.”
